Amadou and Mariam - Folila

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 2 / 4 / 2012

---

In their early days chez Barclay in Paris, Amadou & Mariam managed to captivate ever increasing audiences. Manu Chao then took Amadou & Mariam by the hand into the big bad world of record companies. And now it has come to this album 'Folila'. A host of Anglo-American artists got invited - I sincerely doubt that any of them voluntarily lined up to perform with 'le premier duo du Mali'. TV On The Radio's contribution proves to be the best amongst this slimy bunch. At least their rootsy blues shows dignity towards the couple whose uplifting music has lightened up so many people's lives. With each subsequent CD Amadou & Mariam have released in the West, it seems as if their sheer joy in music could not be tolerated any further. The post-production team probably thought something along the lines of "We must throw in some indie highway college radio act now." As if aware of the dangers lurking underneath such a perception, 'Folila' becomes almost indigenous before half time. Amadou et Mariam now prove to be too a polite couple too; Santigold and Scissor Sisters had their chances. Even when those contributions proved to be the weakest on offer. The track explaining the difficulties a blind couple faces is a surprisingly chaotic tune, and almost avant garde in total. Some courage has been shown in inviting Bernard Cantat to appear on some of the tracks, and this settles the score. His crooning vocals on these 4 tracks hint at the new horizons set for this couple. The steaming West-African rhythm and blues perfectly fits his voice. Once the guest artists have all left the studio, we get to hear some fine desert blues. 'Folila' is full of soul music as well. Yet still I remain baffled why Amadou et Mariam have not seen worldwide hits. On a scale of 'Dimanche à Bamako', 'Fólila' rates at least 8. Each and every household should at least have 2 CDs from Amadou et Mariam. They're blind and you must have been deaf. I cannot think of any other explanation of their relative unpopularity. Amadou et Mariam have consistently been misunderstood and, even in the midst of all this mess, the duo manages to churn out a decent couple of funky tunes.

Track Listing:-

1 Dougou Badia
2 Wily Kataso
3 Oh Amadou
4 Metemya
5 Africa Mon Afrique
6 C'est Pas Facile Pour Les Aigles
7 Wari
8 Sans Toi
9 Mogo
10 Another Way
11 Bagnale
12 Nebe Miri
13 Chérie

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/amadoumariam/
http://www.amadou-mariam.com/
https://twitter.com/amadouetmariam
https://www.youtube.com/user/amadouandmariam
https://plus.google.com/117176177654874095169
http://www.deezer.com/artist/5

Label Links:-

https://instagram.com/becausemusic
http://becausemusic.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/becausemusic
https://www.facebook.com/BecauseMusic
http://www.because.tv/

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg